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Hallberg-Rassy 44 review: from the archive

• April 13, 2021

The Hallberg-Rassy 44 marks a big departure for this traditional yard. Pip Hare spent two days aboard in Swedish winter conditions

Hallberg-Rassassy’s new 44 marks a big departure for this traditional yard. Credit: Rick Tomlinson Credit: Rick Tomlinson

Product Overview

Hallberg-rassy 44, manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

Stepping aboard the new and comparatively modern Hallberg-Rassy 44, conducting a two-day test during the Swedish winter, the bitterly cold wind is cutting through my four layers of technical clothing as though they are made of mesh and I can actually feel my lips chapping on a second-by-second basis the moment I lift my chin out from the collar of my jacket.

The instruments tell me the water temperature is 4ºC, something I well believe when clutching the steering wheel with numb fingers. But it is difficult to feel hard done by, on an otherwise beautiful day for sailing.

Trimmed properly upwind we achieved 7.5 knots in just 12 knots of breeze on day one. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

We are tanking along under full sail, weaving our way through endless pretty pink islands, achieving 7.5 knots of boat speed to windward.

I hand over the helm to Magnus Rassy and slide forward in the cockpit to make some notes under the cover of that trademark windscreen.

Instantly the wind chill disappears and the sun’s rays are enhanced through the glass, wrapping around me like a big warm hug, while warm air wafts up from the companionway and the central heating below.

Almost instantly the cold is just a memory, I am protected and comfortable, and can focus on watching the beautiful scenery slide past.

Launched in April 2016, the Hallberg-Rassy 44 marks a serious step-change for this long establish bluewater boat builder, with a new German Frers hull shape that suggests more powerful sailing performance.

This may appeal to a growing group of customers that aspire to cruising 200-plus miles per day, but is this new shape really what Hallberg-Rassy owners want?

Will the new features of the Hallberg-Rassy 44 (such as twin rudders) be a bridge too far from the traditional views of seaworthiness?

Breaking with tradition

I spent two days aboard Magnus Rassy’s own Hallberg-Rassy 44 on a mini-cruise around the archipelago just north of Gothenburg to find out just how different this new boat would be.

Living on board I would get to test every element of this boat to see how well the traditional Hallberg-Rassy values would sit inside their new skin.

From a distance the hull shape of the Hallberg-Rassy 44 looks more akin to a modern cruiser-racer.

The bow is blunt and topped off with a short integral bowsprit and anchor roller. The foredeck is long and clear, there are wide empty side decks spanning a centre cockpit and a roomy aft deck.

The full beam width is carried a long way aft providing plenty of accommodation below. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

The topsides are sheer and beam is carried aft to a wide uninterrupted transom with a minimal nipping-in above a waterline that reveals the tops of twin rudders.

The more I looked at this hull shape the more I liked it and it made me realise what a departure this is for such a traditional yard.

The bluewater cruising community may have fallen into a bit of a rut with the accepted wisdom of what is ‘right’ for taking on the oceans and previous HR models have followed more or less similar lines. It takes a bit of adjustment to accept this long legged shape.

But the closer you get, the more the trademark Hallberg-Rassy elements come into focus, including the blue stripe, built in rubbing strake, deck house and centre cockpit with windscreen.

Shapely furling mainsail

The first surprise of the day was delivered as we unfurled the in-mast mainsail to reveal a membrane sail with a headboard and a roach, shaped and supported by full length vertical battens – this was no saggy Dacron triangle. Elvström’s FatFurl system creates a genuinely well-shaped main.

In 12 knots of breeze, with full sail we set off from the yard on a tight reach, easily trimming the main with an electric winch on the aft deck.

Even with the relatively short traveller length the vertical battens kept leech tension in the sail without the need for extra vang; within seconds we were trimmed and up to 7.5 knots of boat speed.

There is an adjustable backstay for further mainsail trim and the top section of the mast can achieve reasonable bend.

The backstay purchase is set up as 1:48, which I found a little hard to trim and would have appreciated an extra loop in the cascade.

In a sensible show of balance, Hallberg-Rassy has kept the more traditional V shape underwater profile forward of the mast, where others have gone flatter for downwind performance.

This greatly reduces slamming upwind and, coupled with the long waterline length and three spreader rig, created a fast and comfortable upwind ride, making the most of old and new.

The twin rudders are perhaps the most controversial design feature; but the choice to change from one large, heavy rudder to two smaller ones was made to improve handling both under power and sail by splitting the load.

The steering is light due to the twin rudders and the clever gearing mechanism beneath the pedestal. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

The Hallberg-Rassy 44 features Lewmar progressive steering which uses rods and a gear box to connect the wheel and the rudders – the gearbox delivers a powerful and uniform linkage between wheel and rudders, so no matter how loaded up the rudders are, the force required from the helm to turn the wheel will always be the same.

The result is smooth wheel action and a very well behaved boat even when fully powered up.

The steering position is raised up from the cockpit floor, which gives a great view over the whole boat when standing. I found it easier to sit out to leeward when helming upwind as a lack of foot support meant I kept slipping off the windward side.

Sitting-in was comfortable and easy to brace across the width of the cockpit, though it is hard to see the tell tales. A central foot chock behind the wheel would have given more options.

Following an upwind stretch out of the harbour, we bore away and headed north-west. With a TWA of 90º and TWS up to 18 knots the same effortless speed was evident.

The bathing platform can be lowered from water level in an emergency. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Trimming using the reversible jib sheet winches actually made me giggle it was so easy. I sat to leeward nudging buttons with one hand and steering with the other.

The boat speed never dropped below 7 knots and though water rushed past splashing on the side decks, in the high centre cockpit we remained completely dry.

Ducking between islands the wind dropped but we carried our way and maintained a speed of 5 knots in less than 10 knots TWS.

The Hallberg-Rassy 44 was now ghosting along so silently I could hear the beating wings of birds on the water as they took off in front of us.

Short tacking performance

Tacking through a narrow channel the following day I was really able to put the Hallberg-Rassy 44’s windward performance to the test.

At most we had 240m (0.15 miles) between the rocky shores and in the 24-knot breeze both the main and the genoa were reefed. Our track on the plotter showed near 90º tacking angles.

I have never seen windward performance like this in a boat with in-mast furling.

It was mind-blowingly good, with the full vertical battens maintaining leech profile despite the reef.

Heading into the mainland shore we were able to benefit from the small lifts and accelerations caused by neighbouring cliffs, the helm remained light and responsive throughout.

After a full 45 minutes of short-tacking I glanced down at my Fitbit, which declared I had done zero minutes of exercise today – my index finger wasn’t even sore from all of that electric-powered winching.

Despite the new shape there is no getting over the fact that a boat jammed with cruising luxuries is going to struggle with downwind performance in light airs.

A deep appreciation of what is important for bluewater sailing is woven into every detail of the design and construction of the Hallberg-Rassy 44. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Waves passed under the boat causing it to roll and with only white sails we were not able to steer any lower than 150º true. I suspect in these conditions owners may favour motoring.

In 15 knots of wind and above, the Hallberg-Rassy 44 does start to come alive downwind. It generates enough speed to keep up with the waves and feels responsive enough on the helm to pick up the odd little surf.

The twin rudders made the boat feel nimble rather than labouring against the weight of a barn-door style single rudder; I can only imagine this benefit will be felt all the more in a bigger seaway.

Push button performance

I have never been a fan of thrusters on smaller yachts, believing a few good spring lines can get you out of almost any situation, but I can appreciate that not everyone wants to make a cat’s cradle every time they leave a berth.

Everything else about this boat is so effortless, why make the handling under power the exception? With bow and stern thrusters and a 75hp engine, the Hallberg-Rassy 44 can park sideways into boat-length spaces and turn in a ridiculously small circle.

The chart table is bathed in natural light. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Even anchoring was a push-button affair. Thanks to windlass controls at the pedestal, you can simply come up to your spot, press the down button and use the thrusters to keep into the wind while the chain pays out. The test boat also featured a rode counter.

Picking up the anchor can also be done without leaving the cockpit as the chain is self-stowing and the anchor stows perfectly into its space in the bow roller without any need for crew intervention.

Below decks the Hallberg-Rassy 44 is understated, yet comfortable. Space is used but not used up and making my way through the saloon while under sail there was plenty to lean on or grab and a minimal distance to fall should it all go wrong. Handholds are moulded into the furniture wherever possible, including two grab holds in front of the galley and the chart table, and a mahogany handle on the deckhead in the saloon for those tall enough to reach.

The linear galley is a very practical design. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

The test boat had two armchairs opposite the saloon table and a linear galley fitted into the corridor running down the port side of the boat.

The standard layout sees a U-shape galley to starboard, however, so far, every boat on order is specified with the linear galley in the walkway to the aft cabin.

This layout stretches out the galley along three surfaces and one can stand braced between the two ‘sides’ and have access to multiple cupboards, drawers, fiddled surfaces, a dishwasher, the cooker and the sink.

This version had armchairs in the saloon. Note the hull portlights. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Standing headroom is achieved by positioning the walkway directly under the cockpit coaming.

Designed for living

Natural light floods the saloon during the day from multiple coachroof windows as well as two in the topsides.

I was able to appreciate how well placed these topside windows were while eating lunch at anchor – as the boat swung around in the breeze I was treated to a beautiful vista exactly at eye-level from my seat at the saloon table.

A full-length, half-height stringer has been built into the structure to compensate for any loss in strength caused by the addition of these windows.

The bunk beds are ideal for use at sea but lack stowage for guests. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

There are multiple options for the layout of cabins forward and the model we tested had a V berth in the bow, split from the saloon by a corridor housing two open bunk beds opposite a heads with shower.

The bunks were a comfortable size and would make excellent sea berths, but they only had a small amount of stowage space.

The aft cabin is the owner’s haven, swamped with natural light and a wonderful view from a hatch facing aft.

The aft owner’s cabin is spacious but it may not have the most practical of sea berths. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

The test boat’s island bed would not work conventionally as a sea berth but, wedged into the enclosed aft end, wrapped in my duvet and watching the stern wake reflected in the mirror, it certainly was comfortable.

The engine is located under the cockpit sole, accessed from a small door aft of the galley.

It is huge, with room on the starboard side for a generator and with all the manifolds, switch panels and piping easily accessible.

I could stretch out easily and get my hands onto every part of the engine.

First published in the June 2017 issue of Yachting World.

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The Hallberg-Rassy 44 in some ways shocked me. I expected the comfort and luxury, but aspects of the sailing performance genuinely blew me away. This boat will never have me jumping up and down behind the wheel with a big ‘I love steering’ grin but I certainly didn’t just want to put on the autopilot and read either. The history and development that has been passed down through this family company is worked into every tiny detail of construction to ensure the yachts will look after you to the highest level. All this comes at a price of course. The test boat with all of the extra upgrade comes in at 5,600,000 SEK (£488,564). Is the price tag justified? I say yes – you are buying a couple of generations’ worth of experience. These boats have evolved and will keep evolving to meet our ocean-going needs. Sailing this boat has also opened my eyes to the ‘other way’ – the fact that you can actually enjoy adventurous sailing without enduring physical discomfort. Its push-button cockpit means there’s no excuse for not sailing, or for going into a marina instead of dropping the anchor. The lush interior could take you to far flung corners and extreme climates yet still keep you dry and warm with clean socks and freshly made cakes. Some ocean sailors may struggle with the modern lines, which do not fit into the perceived notion of traditional ocean-going characteristics. I believe a greater number will be drawn to its better sailing performance as well as the superior liveaboard experience. In my opinion, what marks the HR44 out from models past is that this boat is not just an adventure enabler but part of the adventure itself.

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Sailboat Review: 2023 Boat of the Year Hallberg-Rassy 400

• By Herb McCormick
• May 31, 2023

In the ongoing history of production-yacht construction, one of the more astonishing lists covers what seemed like iconic, top-notch sailboat brands—Little Harbor, Alden, Valiant and Tayana, to name a few—that have simply ceased to exist. But then there’s the story of shipyards such as Sweden’s Hallberg-Rassy , named for the founding boatbuilders Harry Hallberg and Christoph Rassy. In one iteration or another, it’s been knocking out boats for 80 years now. After splashing nearly 10,000 yachts, it shows no signs of slowing. 

There are lots of reasons for this longevity, a major one being that once a sailor has owned a Hallberg-Rassy, at some point he or she will likely trade up or down for another one. Quality, after all, begets quality, and it’s a testament to the brand that there are so many repeat customers. 

Another strong ­reason is that, with the ­brilliant Argentine naval architect Germán Frers driving Hallberg-Rassy’s design efforts for several decades, the company has continued to evolve. 

At no time has this been more evident than with Frers’ latest creation: the aft-cockpit, twin-rudder, performance-­oriented Hallberg-Rassy 400. (A sistership, the Hallberg-Rassy 40 C, shares the same hull but has the center-cockpit configuration that’s synonymous with the company.) As a judge in our 2023 Boat of the Year competition, I was part of the unanimous panel that named the 400 our Import Boat of the Year. 

With its integrated bowsprit, triple-spreader Seldén rig, rectangular hull windows and dual helm stations, the 400 at first glance appears to occupy the same sort of territory we’re used to seeing from all the hot French naval architects who dominate contemporary sailboat design. Yet here is an important difference: no chines. In the pursuit of a seakindly ride and good manners offshore, Frers has instead gone with a rounder hull form, not a V-shape—a most effective approach. 

With the plumb bow, Frers has also maximized the waterline, which is something you notice as soon as you step aboard: The 400 seems like a much larger vessel than 40 feet. But don’t fret, Hallberg-Rassy aficionados: Frers has kept one of the line’s signature features, the nifty windshield that accents the front edge of the cockpit, with the traveler and a pair of solar panels stationed just forward. 

It’s a beamy boat (another reason for the sense of volume and space on board). That beam is carried well aft, a fact that necessitated the twin wheel/rudder setup, which also provides the benefit of total control when well-heeled under sail. The double helms and a split backstay allow easy access to the optional drop-down swim platform aft. While a self-tacking jib is also an option, the standard headsail is slightly overlapped, about 110 percent, which is big enough to provide plenty of power but is still easily tacked. The sheet leads run between the inboard and outboard shrouds, giving the skipper very tight sheeting angles to optimize closehauled upwind performance while making egress unimpeded when moving forward or aft along the side decks. I’m having an extremely difficult time understanding why every builder doesn’t do this.

The hand-laid laminate construction includes a Divinycell PVC foam core for insulation and a favorable strength-to-weight ratio, and what the company calls an integrated “keel stiffener,” an internal reinforcement that runs longitudinally and fore and aft, and is laminated to the hull, as is the hull/deck bond, capped by a formidable bulwark. The result is a strong, robust, monolithic structure. The stiffener negates the need for a central bulkhead in the interior, and this, along with the deck-stepped mast, truly opens up the inviting central salon. 

Mahogany is standard for the interior furniture, though our test boat had the inviting European oak option. The joiner work is nothing less than exquisite; the Swedes are certainly craftsmen of the highest order. Tankage (two fuel tanks and three water tanks) is centralized in the hull, again in the interest of optimizing performance. 

There is a trio of different layouts, the major differences being the choice of one or two staterooms aft, one or two heads, and three designs for the owner’s stateroom forward. Options include a ­dishwasher, washing machine, extra freezer, lee cloths, TV and so on. Our test boat had retractable bow and stern thrusters, electric furling for the main and jib, electric winches, and air conditioning, all optional. 

Interestingly, our test boat lacked a generator (the owner, who was aboard for our sea trials, laughed and said, “I don’t want to service two engines”). Our in-house tech guru and Boat of the Year judge, Ed Sherman, definitely approved. “This boat was one of several in our group that has taken a no-generator approach,” he said. “Using Mastervolt lithium batteries and both 12- and 24-volt electrical subsystems, this fully equipped cruiser will regenerate battery voltage via the 60 hp main engine when needed. It was beautifully executed.”

Our test sail got off to a ­disappointing start, as the wind on Chesapeake Bay was nearly imperceptible. But it slowly filled in, and while the breeze never topped 10 knots, the performance was eye-opening, especially when we unleashed the code zero headsail tacked to the bowsprit and reached off at nearly 8 knots, an impressive number given the conditions. Those twin wheels with ­rack-and-pinion steering provided exact fingertip control, and the sightlines sitting well outboard were terrific. It’s a boat built to go places with style and efficiency. 

Frers has been at this game for quite some time now, but clearly, he hasn’t lost his fastball. Hallberg-Rassy has built its reputation on tough boats that fare well under sail in the stormy northern seas, and the 400 ratchets up the performance side of the equation. That’s what you get when the worlds of tradition and advancement collide. 

Hallberg-Rassy 400 Specifications

Herb McCormick is former editor-in-chief of Cruising World and the yachting correspondent for The New York Times . An author of five nautical books, he’s owned several sailboats, including his current Pearson 365 and Pearson Ensign.

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A Look at the Hallberg-Rassy 62

Hallberg-rassy 62.

Few yards have earned such a renowned reputation and global acclaim for building world-class cruising yachts as Hallberg-Rassy. Showcased as the "Flagship" yacht of their fleet when first introduced, the Hallberg-Rassy 62 has won numerous awards to include the "Import Cruising Boat of the Year" by Cruising World Magazine and "Yacht of the Year" in Germany.

Hallmarked by solid construction, extraordinary sailing ability, and designed to be easily managed by a cruising couple. This yacht incorporates a logical layout, an effortlessly managed yet powerful sailplan, and unparalleled quality. The very light and airy interior has a modern contemporary design with a luxurious main salon, three or four well-appointed cabins depending on the layout, and a spacious galley.

The interior of the Hallberg-Berg Rassy 62 is remarkably well designed to ensure comfort, safety, and enjoyment both at sea and in the harbor. The cabin sole is solid teak and holly with edges sealed with epoxy and coated on either side in satin varnish. All sole boards seat on a rubberized cushion and are removable and fitted with flush lifting rings.

For accessibility and safety at sea, all cabins and living spaces are one a single plane, eliminating tripping hazards and difficulty of traversing the interior while underway. Grab rails and fiddled surfaces provide a secure handhold and have been intuitively placed throughout the boat. All interior woodwork is silk smooth teak with varnished satin finish. All cabinets and drawers are soft closing with automatic lighting and have inset stainless steel pocket hinges, all joinery was completed by world-class craftsman, is of the highest of quality, and in excellent condition.  The boat has a bright and airy feel with 15 large Lewmar Ocean windows and 8 Lewmar deckhatches with extra thick ultraviolet stabilized acrylic

Perfect for entertaining and enjoyment both underway and at anchor, the main salon is bright and spacious. A large wrap around lounge and center double seat allow for eight adults to gather around the beautifully finished teak dining table. Vented cabinetry outboard of the lounge and storage integrated into both the table and centerline seat provide excellent storage for provisions. To port, the signature Hallberg-Rassy captain style seats are both functional and comfortable at sea. Two fiddled tables flank the seating area and incorporate two wine bottle storage lockers, barware cabinet, and additional storage.  Unlatching and folding the captain chairs inboard reveals further compartments beneath and behind. 

The engine room is accessed through the aft passageway and is massive in volume allowing for easy maintenance of all ships machinery. Every inch of the major machinery is accessible making maintenance a breeze. No more crawling over hot engines and contorting yourself to reach a belt or filer. You can stand up or sit comfortably!

Construction

The hull is constructed of hand laid woven roving with isophtalic polyester resin and gelcoat with Divinycell PVC foam core above the waterline to provide both sound and environmental insulation. Solid laminate below the waterline. A rubbing strake with stainless steel strip runs the length of the hull. Longitudinal and athwartship stiffeners bonded to the bilges to evenly distribute the load of the mast and keel. Provides a strong superstructure grid for the external lead keel with 24,250 lbs ballast which is secured with 14 M36 stainless steel keel bolts which are easily accessible and visible from the deep bilge. The GRP, semi-balanced rudder with 100 mm stainless steel shaft and three cast bronze bearings incorporates a Cardan link steering system. All major machinery was installed after the joining of the deck to ensure, if needed in the future, all components could be removed.

The Hallberg-Rassy 62 has a GRP sandwich constructed deck with Divinycell PVC foam core for strength and insulation. The hull and deck are bonded with overlapping GRP-laminate, a proven design which is superior in strength and ability to prevent water incursion.  The stemhead is fitted with dual bow rollers and a pushpit made of 30 mm stainless steel. Double lifelines are secured by sturdy deck stanchions mounted through the caprail but do not penetrate the underside, therefore eliminating the possibility of allowing water intrusion through the deck. Port and starboard boarding gates and a large transom gate allow for easy boarding and loading. Two 16" mooring cleats fore and aft and 12" cleats mid-ship. 14 mm Slow growth teak decks are glued in place and in excellent condition. The large forward chain locker with overboard drain keep the weight of the chain low in the bow and has storage for up to five large fenders and deck equipment. The full beam lazarette has both port and starboard access and is cavernous in size!

The Hallberg-Rassy 62 features a 3-spreader deck stepped Selden mast with hydraulic in-mast, genoa, and staysail furling as well as a hydraulic boom vang and backstay. This world-class cruiser was designed to have an easy to manage sail plan perfect for shorthanded sailing. The deck stepped mast is supported on a solid mast support integrated with the main bulkhead. The hydraulic system is easily managed from the cockpit with push button controls and panel at the helm.

The cockpit of the Hallberg-Rassy 62 is spacious and well protected with self-bailing scuppers and teak grated cockpit floor and teak seats and a large three pane safety glass windscreen with opening center and alloy frames. The 62 is a top-of-the-range blue water boat that is easy to manage from behind the helm with push-button controls for the windlass and for setting and sheeting the sails, and foot switches for the bow thruster. She's truly a world cruiser that's family friendly.

Designer's Commentary

The Hallberg-Rassy 62 represents years of experience and a synergy of efforts on the part of Hallberg-Rassy and our design office to produce the best possible yacht of its kind. The high performance, well balanced, strong hull of moderate draft is matched by an efficient and easy to handle sail plan. The areas reserved for leisure on deck are very generous and the interior has plenty of natural light and ventilation.  A new owner will immediately be able to appreciate Hallberg-Rassy’s know how building and fitting out their yachts, as much as their design and performance in all conditions. – Germán Frers

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Hallberg-Rassy

Swedish yacht manufacturer Hallberg-Rassy has implemented the 3D EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud to deliver its world-renowned sailing yachts on time and meet its customers' expectations. By choosing the Sea Boat Builder  industry solution experience, the company now has a single environment where all designers can collaborate on a virtual twin.

I’d go as far as to say we are working 50% faster with the virtual twin as we don’t have to create a physical mock-up. It also means our approach is more sustainable since we are not wasting materials.

Designing blue water sailing yachts

Obsessed with sailing from the age of four, it’s no wonder that Magnus Rassy would become CEO of one of the world’s most highly respected yacht manufacturers. “Each new Hallberg-Rassy model is a step forward,” Rassy said. “Our latest yacht – the 69 – is the greatest Hallberg-Rassy ever. Any successful business builds on giving customers what they want. Our customers want comfort and more space. And the 69 delivers on that.”

Hallberg-Rassy yachts are known far and wide for their sturdy construction, superb craftsmanship and easy handling – enabling effortless, long-distance sailing.  Since 1987, Hallberg-Rassy has worked with Frers Naval Architecture and Engineering in Argentina, one of the most talented yacht designers of our time, to give each yacht its unique grace. The details are then designed in house by Hallberg-Rassy in cooperation with Frers.

“You can spot a Hallberg-Rassy, even from a distance and regardless of whether it’s a new design or several decades old," Rassy said. "Thanks to the blue stripe around the hull and the windscreen, Hallberg-Rassy sailing yachts are instantly recognizable. The brand has a special charisma. We are careful to keep a magic balance between the long history of tradition we are famous for and contemporary features. There should never be too much of either.”

This balance is most definitely achieved in the Hallberg-Rassy 69. The deck is flushed forward of the mast, and the large interior benefits from an unusual amount of natural light, giving the crew full contact with the outside world. Like all Hallberg-Rassy yachts, the 69 also includes PushButtonSailing, which means that the sail can be set or the anchor can be lowered with a push of a button.

Hallberg-Rassy’s designs are not just unique, they are incredibly personal. “Our desire is to create yachts that are both well-built and comfortable, but also still nice and quick to sail,” he said. “There are a lot of interesting developments in racing that we can adapt in cruising. For example, the 69’s hull shape philosophy is inspired by racing. Nobody would think it would be good for cruising, but the reality is that you get more living space, more storage and a better sailing performance all at the same time.”

Hallberg-Rassy’s small design team remains incredibly close to its products to this day. Most of the engineering and manufacturing processes – including the lamination, woodwork and all the technical installations – take place in-house in Sweden, and a huge amount of work is still done by hand – just as it has been for over 50 years.

What is different, however, is how the company uses technology to ensure that it can eliminate waste, verify its designs and ensure that its sailing yachts are built right the first time – with no need for physical prototypes.

“We use the 3D EXPERIENCE platform to look at the yacht before we actually build it,” Rassy said.  “We can test different looks and different proportions, and we can build many different prototypes in the digital world. Once we start to build the real yacht, it’s not a prototype, it’s hull number one in the serial production. That’s really good.”  

Building on success

Hallberg-Rassy’s relationship with Dassault Systèmes goes back many years. In 2005, the company replaced various CAD tools with CATIA V5 for Yachting . While this served the company well for almost two decades, Hallberg-Rassy wanted to modernize its technology environment by moving to the cloud.

“We wanted to get rid of our servers and reduce the cost of our in-house technology environment,” said Eric Segerlind, Hallberg-Rassy’s head of in-house design and development. “When we heard about Dassault Systèmes’ 3D EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud , it seemed like an obvious move for us. It provides us with the most modern iteration of the tools we were already using, but without the burden of maintaining our own infrastructure. In addition, the cloud enables us to securely work from anywhere.”

Hallberg-Rassy turned to local Dassault Systèmes business partner PLM Group for help with the implementation. “The PLM Group team made everything easy for us,” Segerlind said. “They took the time to understand and deliver on our requirements exactly. They’ve helped us with the cloud installation and provided ongoing training and support. We regularly attend the education days that the PLM Group hosts – they are incredibly useful.”

The Hallberg-Rassy team was up and running on the 3D EXPERIENCE platform in a matter of weeks – and quickly reaped the rewards. “The platform is so intuitive,” Segerlind said. “Within a week, I was using it to model complex surfaces.

“We also saw the benefits of the cloud straight away. When we were hosting our infrastructure, we had to connect to our servers to work from home. It was a clunky process. Today, because everything is in the cloud, we can work wherever we like – always safe in the knowledge that we are accessing the latest designs. With the click of a few buttons, I can bring up the design of a yacht in its entirety. This has reduced the planning I need to do before meetings – I pick up my laptop and go.”

While individual team members have the freedom to work from any location, internal collaboration has gotten better. “That’s because we are all working in the same virtual environment,” Segerlind said. “We can work collectively to solve issues.”

By working with a virtual twin on the 3D EXPERIENCE platform, the team can run simulations and calculations for the design of the interior and exterior of the yacht. This has allowed Hallberg-Rassy to work 50% faster and more sustainably, as there is no longer any reason to use a physical model and therefore no material is wasted.

Modern design meets traditional craftsmanship

The design process has also improved. Instead of using three or four different solutions – one for each part of the process – the 3D EXPERIENCE platform enables Hallberg-Rassy’s designers to carry out the entire development of their yachts in a single environment.

“When I started with the platform, I realized just how easy it was to change between different apps and functions,” said Patrik Wikström, an in-house engineer at Hallberg-Rassy. “The switch is seamless – in just a click of the mouse, you can change from parts to surfaces, to drawings, to simulations.”

Because modeling and simulation (MODSIM) , once totally separate entities, have been brought together into a unified design approach within the platform, verification and validation of the yacht happens dynamically.

At the earliest stage of the development process, designers can explore ideas and experiment with different weights, loads, surfaces and dimensions to find the optimal combination of parts. They can then adapt the geometry later.

“In the beginning, I tend to use the Surface app to sketch out my ideas,” said Wikström. “I’ll then change to a different app, such as Sheet Metal Design, to produce the detail. At this point, I’ll share my ideas with Eric, who will then make a frame analysis and run simulations to verify the design of the various parts. For example, he’ll be able to work out the flex of a particular part and whether it will withstand operation at sea. He may suggest we make a part bigger or stronger, depending on these simulations.”

“I create big shapes, such as the hull deck structure, using surface modeling,” said Segerlind. “The more involved stainless-steel parts and the wooden interior are done with solid modeling. I can run calculations directly in the 3D EXPERIENCE platform, which saves a huge amount of time – in the past I’d have to export the design to a different program, run the calculations and then take the design back. It’s much quicker and easier now.”

We have already delivered almost 10,000 yachts. Every single one of those has been on time. We have never been late on any delivery. We can only keep this record if we maintain full control over production – and that means keeping all processes close. That’s what the 3D EXPERIENCE platform enables for us.

A streamlined approach to design to production

Once Segerlind and his colleagues develop the functional parts, they combine them into a fully assembled 3D virtual twin of the sailing yachts . “The virtual twin helps us make the right product development decisions,” Segerlind said.

For example, when the Hallberg-Rassy team had to engineer a way to fold out the bathing platform on one of its yachts without hydraulics or electricity, it used the 3D EXPERIENCE platform to work out a practical approach. “If we were doing this in the real world, we would have to produce steel parts which would have to be welded, taken apart, modified and then re-welded,” said Wikström. “By being able to change the shape and function of the various parts in the digital world, we save a lot of time and costs.”

The virtual twin can also be shared with suppliers, customers and other key stakeholders. “We can easily put virtual people into the model too,” Segerlind said. “This helps stakeholders to visualize the scale of various features, and also to help us understand whether it is possible to reach certain installations.”

If a customer requests a specific setup or configuration, the Hallberg-Rassy team can quickly adapt existing designs instead of starting from scratch. This saves further time and effort. “If a customer requests that we change one of the surfaces, for example, we can easily adapt the model,” Segerlind said. “We now have the full design data for yachts in the platform – this is all knowledge that we can re-use in future projects.”

Because this approach sees customer feedback applied to the model long before manufacturing begins, time, waste and costs are reduced. “I’d go as far as to say we are working 50% faster with the virtual twin as we don’t have to create a physical mock-up,” Segerlind said. “It also means our approach is more sustainable since we are not wasting materials.”

Once any issues are ironed out virtually, Hallberg-Rassy jumps straight to production. The CATIA design files are sent directly to Hallberg-Rassy’s state-of-the-art CNC machines to precision cut parts. “Using the 3D EXPERIENCE platform means our 3D design is accurate right from the start,” said Wikström. “This means that the various parts will be made to precise measurements and, when it comes to production, they will fit together perfectly.”

Hallberg-Rassy 69

Perfection the future.

Hallberg-Rassy will also continue to unlock the full capabilities of the Dassault Systèmes solution in the months and years to come. “We are starting to explore new features of the 3D EXPERIENCE platform, including the Piping and HVAC Engineering solution , so that we can better plan the routing ways to keep the yacht as solid as it should be, without damaging or impacting the overall structure of the yacht,” Segerlind said.

“In a yacht, the supply system is very large, so the piping needs more space than you think,” added Wikström. “The piping solution will help us make the best use of space.”

The company will also continue using the platform to test new ideas virtually. “The biggest challenge we face is making the right decisions for the products,” Segerlind said. “Our products have a long lifespan: we have models that we have been building up to 16 years. The 3D EXPERIENCE platform helps us decide which features are optimal for investment.”

Ultimately, Rassy is excited to see how Hallberg-Rassy can build on its success. “We have already delivered almost 10,000 sailing yachts,” he said. “Every single one of those has been on time. We have never been late on any delivery. We can only keep this record if we maintain full control over production – and that means keeping all processes close. That’s what the 3D EXPERIENCE platform enables for us.”

Using the 3D EXPERIENCE platform means our 3D design is accurate right from the start. This means that the various parts will be made to precise measurements and, when it comes to production, they will fit together perfectly.

Click for the Hallberg-Rassy video transcript

00:00 – 00:21

Magnus Rassy, CEO, Hallberg-Rassy:

The typical Hallberg-Rassy customer expects a well-built yacht that is easy to handle for long distance sailing, effortless sailing. That's really important.

00:22 – 00:33

Eric Segerlind, Head of In-house Design and Development, Hallberg-Rassy:

To design and engineering our yachts, the main issue is the time schedule. With the Virtual Twin, we can reduce the time to market with 50% to 60%.

00:34 – 01:02

Magnus Rassy:

We use the 3D EXPERIENCE platform so we can look at the yacht before we actually build it. And we can build many different prototypes in the computer. So once we start to build the real yacht, it's not a prototype, it's hull number one in the serial production, and that's really good. Each new Hallberg-Rassy model is a step forward and the newest model we present now is Hallberg-Rassy 69. It's the largest we ever built.

01:03 – 02:05

Eric Segerlind:

When we start designing a new yacht, we always have a concept, how big it is, what should be included and what style it should be compared to other models. And then we start with the GA, general arrangement plan, and check if everything fits. And then we have to adapt the measurements. We start, of course, with the hull and then we put in the interior. In the 3D EXPERIENCE we start with the interior, change the hull after that, and then do the weight calculations, weight distributions and also where to put the strong points of the yacht. We combine surface- and solid-modelling in one setup, and that gives us a big step forward. The biggest value to incorporate all the piping and so on, is that we can plan the routing ways and do not damage the structure. So we keep the yacht as solid as it should be. With the Virtual Twin, we can easily show and also put in people with certain dimensions and how to reach things, installations and so on.

02:06 – 02:27

Patrik Wikström, In-house Engineer, Hallberg-Rassy:

It's everything to have this Virtual Twin. Everyone sees the same thing, so it's very visual, how it will look when we are finished. In 3D EXPERIENCE it's much easier to switch the apps and get the different functions from surface treatment to part or to simulation.

02:28 – 02:58

With 3D EXPERIENCE on cloud, all the data are up to date in the model all the time, and the 3D EXPERIENCE platform makes us collaborate easier and we produce it directly from 3D EXPERIENCE CAD. The main driver to 3D EXPERIENCE platform from V5 was to have a scalable solution for us, and I really recommend 3D EXPERIENCE on cloud to other companies. It's the best.

Focus on Hallberg-Rassy

Established in 1943, the Hallberg-Rassy group of companies remain 100% owned by the Rassy family. Today 9,700 Hallberg-Rassy yachts are delivered all over the world. The company has stayed true to the concept of sturdy craft, well protected cockpits, high endurance and good sailing qualities with a high degree of comfort. The yachts are easy to handle by a small crew, offering effortless and comfortable sailing.

For more information:   https://hallberg-rassy.com/

Focus on PLM Group

PLM Group has been collaborating with Dassault Systèmes for over 25 years as a value-adding partner. The company's expertise in 3D EXPERIENCE is helping companies connect people, processes, and ideas enabling them to pioneer the future and gain a competitive advantage in the market. PLM Group helps its customers transform their value chain by adding the latest technology including augmented reality, virtual testing, and generative design for a future-proof business.  

For more information: https://plmgroup.eu  

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Meet Hallberg-Rassy’s greatest yacht to date

Marine & Offshore January 19, 2024

Hallberg-Rassy yachts are known far and wide for their sturdy construction, superb craftsmanship and easy handling – enabling effortless, long-distance sailing. Since 1987, Hallberg-Rassy has worked with Frers Naval Architechture and Engineering in Argentina, one of the most talented yacht designers of our time, to give each of their yachts their unique grace. The details are then designed in-house by Hallberg-Rassy in close cooperation with Frers.

The latest Hallberg-Rassy yacht – the 69 – is described by the company’s CEO Magnus Rassy as “the greatest Hallberg-Rassy ever”.

As the company’s biggest yacht to date, the Hallberg-Rassy 69 features an expansive deck flushed forward of the mast, as well as a large interior which benefits from an unusual amount of natural light – giving the crew full contact with the outside world. And, like all Hallberg-Rassy yachts, the 69 also includes PushButtonSailing, which means that the sail can be set or the anchor can be lowered at the push of a button.

Creating a yacht like this requires extraordinary skill. Most of the engineering and manufacturing processes for Hallberg-Rassy yachts – including the lamination, woodwork and all the technical installations – takes place in-house in Sweden, and a huge amount of work is still done by hand – just as it has been for over 50 years.

However, the company is careful to balance these traditional methods of construction with new, modern technologies that help it eliminate waste, verify its designs and ensure that its yachts are built right the first time – with no need for physical prototypes.

As a long-term customer of Dassault Systèmes, it was a logical decision for Hallberg-Rassy to move to the 3D EXPERIENCE platform on the cloud . Hallberg-Rassy’s designers can break down barriers in the product development process and consider the impact of individual components’ weight, strength, volume and surface material at the earliest design stages. Consolidating all parts into a unified virtual twin validates the yacht design, eliminating the need for costly mock-ups and reducing associated waste. It’s also a powerful marketing asset to present the sailing yachts to customers and key stakeholders.

“We use the 3D EXPERIENCE platform to look at the yacht before we actually build it,” said Rassy. “We can test different looks and different proportions, and we can build many different prototypes in the digital world. Once we start to build the real yacht, it’s not a prototype, it’s hull number one in the serial production.” 

Learn how Hallberg-Rassy yields multiple benefits by using Dassault Systèmes’ technologies.  

The flagship  Hallberg-Rassy 69 will be unveiled at the world’s largest boat show, Boot Düsseldorf, which takes place from Jan. 20 to 28 2024 . Visitors can see the 69, as well as the Hallberg-Rassy 400  and  Hallberg-Rassy 340 , on stand 16 B 58.

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The Story about Hallberg-Rassy: Legendary Boat Builders (Hardcover)

• Description
• About the Author
• Reviews & Media

- A lavish and engaging monograph on the legendary Swedish boat builder Hallberg Rassy

- This large format book is lavishly presented with gold blocking on the cover

This is a lavish new 360-page book about the legendary Swedish boat builder Hallberg-Rassy. Hallberg-Rassy is one of the world's most respected and successful boatyards. The book The Story About Hallberg-Rassy - Legendary Boat Builders is a must-have for all sailboat lovers and Hallberg-Rassy aficionados. Read about Hallberg-Rassy's fascinating journey across its first nine decades. From the 1940s until today this impressive success story is still unfolding with no end in sight. This richly illustrated book contains many interesting insights, pictures, and stories never before published and depicts hitherto unknown yachts that were never built. You can learn about the history and philosophy of the yard through interviews with key people and yacht owners, discover many new details about all the Hallberg-Rassy yachts ever built and about boat builder Christoph Rassy. Enjoy this engaging and informative read, which includes texts by boat journalists and authors Bengt J rnstedt and Curt Gelin, as well as Magnus Rassy.

• Ships & Shipbuilding - History
• Ships & Shipbuilding - Pictorial

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hallberg rassy 372 yachts for sale

Cannes Yachting Festival 2024 : Die wichtigsten Segel-Neuheiten an der Côte d’Azur – von Hallberg-Rassy bis Nautor Swan

YACHT-Redaktion

 ·  21.08.2024

Hallberg-Rassy 69

Moody ds 48, mylius 66 rs, nautor clubswan 43, nautor swan 88.

Mehr Premieren auf dem Cannes Yachting Festival:

• Von Aventura bis Gunboat
• Von Nautitech bis Y-Yachts

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Hallberg-rassy 69 nominiert für best boats 2025 in den usa.

23 Aug. 2024

Wir freuen uns, Ihnen mitteilen zu können, dass die Hallberg-Rassy 69 vom US-Magazin Sail für die Kategorie „Best Boats 2025“ nominiert wurde. Die Gewinner werden in der Januar/Februar-Ausgabe 2025 von Sail vorgestellt.

Das Magazin Sail schreibt: Das neue Flaggschiff von Hallberg-Rassy ist die bisher größte Yacht des schwedischen Herstellers, der für seine robusten, durchdachten Blauwasser-Fahrtenyachten bekannt ist. Das vom Mast nach vorne völlig bündige Deck verleiht der Yacht ein schlankes, schnelles Profil – selbst mit dem Hardtop auf Baunemmer 1 mit der traditionellen Hallberg-Rassy-Windschutzscheibe und mehr Sonnen- und Wetterschutz im Cockpit. Die gesamte Einrichtung befinden sich auf einer Ebene und ermöglichen so eine einfache Bewegung vorn und hinten, mit der seetüchtigen Pantry an Steuerbord. Im Gegensatz zu einigen großen Yachten, die sich unten wie Tanzlokale anfühlen, vermittelt die Hallberg-Rassy 69 eine bemerkenswert gemütliche Atmosphäre, was teilweise auf die Aufteilung selbst, aber auch auf die schöne Innenausstattung und die Fülle an natürlichem Licht zurückzuführen ist. Da es sich um eine Hallberg-Rassy handelt, gibt es auch pragmatische Details wie ein Tagestoilette und Ölzeugschrank, praktische Segelkojen, einen gut isolierten begehbaren Maschinenraum für einfache Wartung und sorgfältig installierte und dokumentierte elektrische Systeme. Dieses Flaggschiff ist eines der Superlative und spiegelt 80 Jahre erstklassigen Blauwasser-Bootsbau wider.